Art at PCS
In the art room at Putney Central, many exciting things happen on a daily basis. Students create with a variety of media, and are inspired by a wide range of western and nonwestern, historical and modern artwork. A strong component of the art program at PCS involves the stimulation of the developing imagination of our students, who range from pre-k through to 8th grade. When the imagination is sparked, wonderful things happen — children are excited about their learning, feel connected and empowered by the work that they do, and they become absorbed in a world which they create. Students are encouraged to make decisions and explore possibilities and to feel pride in the unique product they create, dictated by their individual process.
2008 began with a study of hands — symbols and images of hands were seen in the artwork from Mexico, Native America, Aboriginal Australia, India, Israel, as well as from the work of MC Escher, and some current artists. current Western artists.
Students designed their own hands with paper, watercolor, and metal.
Younger children, grades pre-k–2, have been working on self-portraits.
Inspired by the work of Georgia O’Keeffe, students in grades 3–7 have been collecting flowers from the garden outside our door, and drawing them close-up, focusing on using positive and negative shapes to create a compelling composition. Color study and color harmony is also a component of this unit.
The 8th graders have been working on creating paper mache sculptures; bringing the mythical creatures from their English Class Essays to life. In October, we brought these sculptures into the forest as the 8th graders told their stories to the youngers.
